Etoposide-loaded PLGA and PCL nanoparticles I: Preparation and effect of formulation variables

Etoposide-loaded nanoparticles were prepared using nanoprecipitation and emulsion solvent evaporation techniques using polylactide-co-glycolic acid and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) in presence of Pluronic F68, respectively. Effect of formulation variables like stabilizer concentration, amount of polymer, and drug was studied. These parameters were found to affect particle size, zeta potential, drug content, and entrapment efficiency of nanoparticles. The methods produced nanoparticles with good entrapment efficiency of around 80%. Recovery of nanoparticles was as high as 95% and drug content was around 1.5%. Increase in lactide content decreased the release of etoposide in vitro and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles retarded etoposide release for 48 hr. The results show the suitability of polylactide-co-glycolic acid and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanoparticles as potential carriers for controlled delivery of etoposide.